So far in 2016 I’ve called 10 cities home, spending four months in South America, four months in Europe, and now four months in Asia. I’m writing this article from a bustling coffee shop in Kuala Lumpur while sipping “Teh Tarik,” the national drink of Malaysia.

I’ve found that running a business while traveling comes with unique challenges (and benefits!) and have distilled my best advice for aspiring location-independent entrepreneurs below.

Consider using a third-party program to organize your travels

When initially exploring a remote lifestyle, I encountered several obstacles. First, I didn’t want to travel alone, but my friends either lacked my thirst for adventure or didn’t have remote jobs. Second, I worried about finding fast, reliable wifi, and a quiet workspace while abroad. Third, handling the logistics and planning inherent in travel didn’t excite me, as my plate was already full. Fourth, I thought it would be considerably more expensive to live this location-independent lifestyle.

A program called Remote Year offered the ideal solution. For approximately what I paid each month to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Washington D.C., they covered lodging and a workspace (complete with private call rooms and fast wifi) in each country, transportation between countries, and a curated community of 75 remote workers. Remote Year is not the only company of its kind. Others like Roam and Wifi Tribe also offer variations on the global co-working and co-living theme.

In Argentina.

Fail to plan, plan to fail

Though spontaneity and freedom are draws of travel, advanced planning is critical for location-independent entrepreneurs. In the process of moving once a month I’ve developed a routine that ensures smooth transitions. The week before I leave I do laundry, notify my bank and credit card company about my upcoming travel, and plan out my calendar for the month ahead, noting time zone changes and making necessary adjustments.

Upon arrival somewhere new, I give myself two “buffer” days before starting work. This is when I unpack, buy groceries, get a SIM card (typically cheaper than international cell phone plans), find my workspace, and get the local currency.

It’s also when my “wanderlust” is at its highest, so I’ll explore my surroundings and take a bunch of photos (which I schedule out on social media for the month ahead).

Investing in support is another way to ensure success. I've been working with a remote business manager for about a year. She lives just outside of Los Angeles, California and helps with scheduling, client management, onboarding, billing, bookkeeping, formatting and sending out my e-newsletter, and managing my Facebook ads. Outsourcing tasks to my business manager that fall out of my zone of genius helps me focus on my highest-impact activities while enjoying my travels.

In La Paz, Bolivia.

Remember you’re not on vacation

Though remote work can resemble vacation, it’s still work. Your clients don’t care if you stayed out until sunrise dancing with locals or that you’re adjusting to a new time zone. Deadlines must be met. If you’re traveling over a period of time, you may sometimes miss out on travel experiences because of work. This is especially challenging when you’re traveling with people who are on vacation or who don’t work the hours you do. But at the end of the day, if your business funds your remote lifestyle it needs to be prioritized.

Avoiding “vacation mentality” extends to your health and personal finances as well. When you’re traveling as a lifestyle it’s important to look for ways to cut costs (you don’t have to eat at every five-star restaurant your guidebook recommends). Additionally, frequent flights and exposure to new environments can lower your immune system, so get enough sleep, exercise, and look for healthy food options to avoid getting sick. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina.

View your limitations as opportunities

On the flip side of “vacation mentality,” it’s tempting to compare your progress to entrepreneurs not dealing with the hassles of remote work. Though you may have less time and more challenges than your competitors, I’ve found that the travel element of my life actually filters out time-wasters and unnecessary activities, and I’m more productive and creative as a result. It's even opened up new business opportunities.

For example, spending four months in Asia (a 12-15 hour time difference for my US-based clients) has forced me to reduce my one-on-one client load considerably. To compensate I'm hosting a week-long retreat in Thailand and launching my first-ever digital product. These were “someday” activities, but not wanting to work a “night shift” sped up that timeline.

While running a business and traveling isn’t always easy, I hope this article shows you just how possible it is.